Copaxone and similar medicines will do nothing to relieve symptoms such as vertigo. They reduce your odds of having stronger or different symptoms in the future, and so many of us are strong advocates for using one and fighting the disease. The vertigo may resolve itself, in whole or in part, if it is part of a relapse that eventually ends, and there are meds to alleviate that and many other symptoms.
Goodness. I'm sorry you're going through this. I had vertigo really bad with my second flare, but it was before I was diagnosed so I had no idea that it was part of a disease process. I would have been terrified to find out what was causing it. The good news is, my vertigo went away completely in about a month with no treatment whatsoever. If yours gets bad, you may want to talk to your neuro about IV Solu-Medrol. Sometimes when a relapse is really bad, people take it to make the symptoms go away quicker.
Regarding your Copaxone question: The vertigo is caused by a lesion in your brain. Copaxone (and all the other DMD's for that matter) work to reduce the frequency and severity of *future* relapses. They don't have any effect on the lesions that have already formed, BUT, once your flare ends, your body will start to heal the current lesion and you will most likely start to feel some relief from your symptoms. Make sure you're taking good care of yourself in the coming months so your body can heal at its maximum potential.
Regarding memory: I know exactly what you mean. It's impossible for any of us with memory problems to know whether they are due to MS or something else. But there are many, many things we can do to exercise our brains, which will help to regain some of what we may have lost. Also, there are lot of strategies to cope with memory loss. Personally, I use so many strategies to assist my memory that I have my boss fooled into thinking I have a better memory than he does! (My husband knows better).
Welcome to our forum, Hoss63. It is a great group. You will probably have lots of questions, as everyone does when they are newly diagnosed. We are here to support each other, so please lean on us!
Best,
Jane
Hello and welcome to our forum! I a sorry to hear of your diagnosis and especially the vertigo (It's miserable).
Jane covered most of the material but I wanted to ad a welcome to you that we are hear to listen and to support...we KNOW what it s like.
You will know doubt go through a variety of emotions as you learn to live with this disease in your body. It is a learning process and it does follow Kubler - Ross' grieving process of grieving.
We take any question ,no matter how small and we are hereto listen to a rant or send cyber hugs to make you feel better. Y ou have landed in the right place!!
Take care and let us know how you are doing!
Warmly,
Ren
Hey welcome all this stuff is really confusing at first. The difference between medications which slow progression and those which help side effects. You will probably go all over the map with the diagnosis. Many of us did. Relief you know what it is, shock, anger, etc. Ask a way with the questions.
Alex
Thanks everyone for the answer to my questions, Im sure I will have Many more
Let me add my welcome to the forum. You will find a great group here of truly caring and loving people. As much as it saddens me to hear of another DX - knowing what is wrong and being able to fight it head on is best. Can't fight if you don't know what the problem is.
Ask all the questions you think of. While MS is different in all of us someone here will have had a similar issue.
Alex is right you emotions will be all over the place but feel free to vent here as well.
Take Care
Tracy
Welcome to our whacky family. We are always here for you